How Do Products Perform in UHPC Manufacturer Cooperation Cases: Practical Results and Value Analysis

With their unique curved aesthetics and structural expressiveness, double-curved GRC curtain walls have become the visual centerpiece of contemporary landmark buildings. However, as operation and maintenance cycles extend after project delivery, inspection and repair challenges have gradually emerged. As an industry participant with 28 years of deep expertise in UHPC/GRC/GRG/GRP materials, Qinglong Group draws on its full-chain service experience to analyze the maintenance pain points and systematic solutions for double-curved GRC curtain walls, covering material properties, structural design, and maintenance practice.

I. Maintenance Challenges of Double-Curved GRC Curtain Walls: Multiple Challenges from Materials to Structure

The maintenance complexity of double-curved GRC curtain walls stems from their dual attributes of "customization" and "irregular shaping". First, the double-curved form leads to uneven stress distribution across components; under long-term exposure to wind pressure and temperature variations, stress concentration tends to occur. Inspection tools designed for conventional flat curtain walls are difficult to adapt to curved surfaces, increasing the difficulty of detecting hidden hazards such as surface cracks and loose anchorages. Second, the porous nature of GRC material places extremely high demands on watertightness. Once sealant ages or the drainage system becomes blocked, internal steel reinforcement corrosion can easily occur. Moreover, the drainage path design of double-curved structures is more complex, and locating leakage points often requires partial dismantling of components, intensifying cost and schedule pressures. In addition, some projects fail to reserve maintenance access during the detailed design stage; later maintenance then depends on high-altitude work equipment, which is not only inefficient but may also cause secondary damage to GRC surfaces due to improper operation.

II. Systematic Response Strategies from a Full-Chain Perspective

To address the maintenance pain points of double-curved GRC curtain walls, Qinglong Group has built a trinity solution of "prevention–monitoring–repair" spanning the entire process from design and production to maintenance. In the design stage, BIM technology and parametric modeling are used to simulate structural loading under different working conditions in advance, optimize anchoring nodes and drainage slopes, and reserve detachable inspection openings. For example, in a cultural center project in Guangzhou, the Rhino+Grasshopper platform enabled modular segmentation of double-curved GRC components, keeping each component's weight within 80kg to facilitate later manual dismantling for inspection. In the production stage, the Technical Standard for Building Application of Glass Fibre Reinforced Cement (GRC) (JGJ/T423-2018) is strictly implemented, using low-alkali cement with better crack resistance and alkali-resistant glass fibres. Meanwhile, RFID chips are embedded inside components to record production information and installation positions, providing data support for later traceability.

At the operation and maintenance monitoring level, drone inspection and infrared thermal imaging technologies are introduced to perform 3D scanning of double-curved curtain wall surfaces, analyzing deformation trends through comparative point cloud data. For concealed works, embedded sensors monitor anchoring force and temperature/humidity variations in real time, with data synchronized to a cloud management platform to enable early warning of anomalies. For repairs, Qinglong leverages its nationwide service network to provide customized GRC repair materials and professional construction teams. For example, for localized cracks, Qinglong's self-developed UHPC repair mortar is used for filling, with compressive strength reaching over 120MPa, ensuring that repaired performance matches the original components.

III. Accumulated Industry Experience: From Project Practice to Standards Development

As a vice-chairman unit of the China GRC Association and a participant in developing multiple industry standards, Qinglong Group has transformed maintenance experience from over 2,000 projects into a standardized service system. For example, in a super high-rise project in Nanning, a maintenance mechanism of "comprehensive inspection every five years + routine annual inspections" was established, with sealant replacement cycles adjusted for climate adaptability, achieving zero safety incidents for the double-curved GRC curtain wall over a 10-year service period. In addition, Qinglong collaborates with universities on long-term durability research of GRC materials, accumulating maintenance data across different regional environments (such as high-humidity coastal areas and severely cold northern regions), providing customers with full life-cycle technical support.

The maintenance and inspection of double-curved GRC curtain walls is essentially a comprehensive test of material properties, structural logic, and engineering management. With "full-chain service capability" at its core, Qinglong Group transforms maintenance challenges into manageable steps through technological innovation and accumulated experience—not only ensuring the long-term presentation of architectural aesthetics, but also providing a replicable maintenance paradigm for the industry with the philosophy of "prevention first, precise measures". Looking ahead, as UHPC/GRC composite curtain wall technology develops, Qinglong will continue exploring lighter-weight, easier-to-maintain solutions, promoting the deep application of new architectural decorative materials in sustainable operation and maintenance.